Cisco (internet) Console Cable Serial Connection

In order to setup many (most?) Cisco devices, such as the Cisco ASA 5505 / 5500 Series you must have a special console cable.

Cable: First connect to the console port via a special Cisco specific console cable. The console port on a Cisco device is the same RJ-45 connector used for CAT 5 network cables, but the signals are actually RS232 so you need a console cable to adapt the RJ-45 to a DB9 or 25 for connection to a PC serial port or a Serial to USB adapter. You can buy one or make one yourself. ^ ^ The pinout is:

Note: The colors listed assume TIA/EIA 568A standards, and other versions may be found. It's the numbers that matter, not the colors.

Note: That if your PC doesn't have an RS232 port, you will ALSO need a USB to Serial Adapter

Connection: Use a serial terminal program like Hyper Terminal, PuTTY, Real Term, etc... Set the baud rate to 9600 N 8 1. Or No parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit. Press Enter a few times and you should get a response from the device.

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